Welcome to another Sunday Session. I recently wrote a short story as part of a University Assessment and since I actually liked it, I decided to share it with you today.
Love Conquers Fear
As Rebecca had lain in Matthew’s arms, she’d known there was nowhere else she ever wanted to be. She had been drifting back to sleep when there was a knock at the door. She’d sprung up in bed and turned to Matthew “who’s at the door?” she’d asked.
Looking at his doorbell camera Matthew had replied “relax, it’s just my cousin”
“Which one?”
“Lily”
“Does she know about us?” Rebecca asked nervously
“Would it be so bad if she did?” questioned Matthew
“Yes!” Rebecca replied, regretting it instantly.
Back in her apartment, she had replayed the moment in her head a million times yet Rebecca hadn’t known how to fix it. She hadn’t seen or heard from Matthew in three weeks. How was she supposed to explain to Matthew that she wasn’t embarrassed by him she was afraid. Did he not remember what happened the last time they dated? She couldn’t forget. As she stared at her phone trying to compose a text the memories flood her mind.
They had been in the cabin; their secret meeting place for the last year or so. Rebecca was putting her shoes on when the door smashed open. When their eyes had adjusted to the bright sunlight streaming in, they realized it was Rebecca’s father standing in the doorway. Her father had lunged at her but Matthew stepped in front of her. After her initial shock she joined the fight with Matthew but even working together they were no match for her father. Her father tossed her against the wall like she was a rag doll and the last thing she heard before losing consciousness was Matthew yelling in pain.
When she’d come to she was locked in her bedroom broken and bruised with no idea what had happened to Matthew. She’d spent the next week thinking her father had killed him; finally, she had overheard her brother’s talking about how Matthew had gotten bashed at the rodeo so she had at least known he was still alive. Once her injuries had healed enough for her to go outside she’d finally gotten to see him with her own eyes. Her heart broke a little when she saw him and the damage her father had inflicted but he refused to be fussed over, he had just wanted to move on.
They had never talked about what had happened that night but things had been different between them ever since. Matthew was angry; she could blame him, he’d started getting into fights, and drinking. Rebecca had thought that if they could just leave town things would get better, so she had mentioned it to Matthew; surprisingly, he agreed, they had started planning that night. They had decided that they would leave on the first bus out of town the day after her 18th birthday, she would be an adult and they already knew where they were going to college.
As she’d stood out of the rain waiting for both Matthew and the bus that would have given them a fresh start her Nokia beeped. Matthew wasn’t coming, he couldn’t leave his cousins; they were all he had. While she had understood why he was staying she’s known that she couldn’t stay. So when the bus pulled up she had boarded. As she finally exited the town limits she’s messaged him back, tears streaming down her cheeks; I love you, but I can’t stay.
Standing in her apartment, the phone in her hand was no longer a Nokia; she was no longer a scared 18 year old. She knew what she’d have to do. If she and Matthew were ever going to have a future together they needed to talk, really talk. It was a Friday night so she’s known Matthew, as well as the rest of the town, would be at the High School watching the game. That was where she needed to be.
The game was packed but Rebecca had known where Matthew would be. As she had expected, he was sitting in the back of his truck at the southern end of the field. After taking a deep breath, Rebecca walked towards Matthew, and hopefully her future. She had known he would be surprised to see her so she didn’t waste any time in getting what she wanted to say out. For his part, he let her speak without interrupting her. And by the time she had said everything she wanted to say the game was over and the car park was emptying.
They sat in Matthews’s truck for the rest night, finally talking. Nothing was held back. From the hurt and anger to the laughter and tears, everything was out in the open. As Rebecca had hoped, Matthew wanted the same things she did. This time they weren’t going to hide their relationship. While Rebecca still feared her father, she and Matthew weren’t going to let him push them apart again. This time things would be different, she just knew it.
Rebecca and Matthew’s relationship grew stronger every day. Her father; as expected, tried to create problems but as Matthew had said that night in his truck; they weren’t kids anymore, he had no power over them. As it turned out, standing up to her father gave one of her brother’s the strength to do the same. S not only did she get back the love of her life, but she also got her brother back too, and she won’t ever give up hope that she will one day have a relationship with her other brother as well. Think of her brother made her think about her upcoming wedding. As she looked at her engagement ring Rebecca wondered what the future had in store for her and Matthew.
Rebecca is jolted from her memories by the sound of her son’s crying. She looks out the back window to see Matthew comforting their boy, calming whispers soothing his fear. As if on cue his baby sister starts to cry. As Rebecca soothes her daughter and Matthew comforts their son, Rebecca realizes that love conquers fear.
That’s it from me today. I hope you enjoyed my short story. I will catch you all next week for another Sunday Session.
Happy Reading.
~>GEM<~
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